Berrettini Returns to Grand Slam Quarters After 3-Year Battle
After nearly four years away from tennis's biggest stages due to injuries, Italy's Matteo Berrettini is back in a Grand Slam quarter-final at the French Open. The former world number six, now ranked 105th, says his love for the game kept him fighting through the darkest moments.
Matteo Berrettini stood on the Roland Garros court with a beaming smile, having just achieved what once seemed impossible: a return to tennis's elite stage after years of crushing injuries.
The 30-year-old Italian defeated Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo in straight sets to reach the French Open quarter-finals. It's his first appearance in the last eight of a Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open, nearly four years ago.
The journey back wasn't easy. Berrettini reached a career-high world number six in 2022 after reaching the Wimbledon final and Australian Open semi-finals. Then injuries struck, forcing him to miss six of the next 13 major tournaments and plummeting his ranking to 105th.
"Tennis is the love of my life, if it wasn't I wouldn't be here," Berrettini said after his win. "After all the setbacks, all the injuries, all the bad moments, I came back once again."
There were moments when stepping back on court felt impossible. Berrettini admitted there were times when he wasn't physically ready and his confidence was shattered. But something kept pulling him back to the sport he loves.
His previous match proved the injuries might finally be behind him. Berrettini survived the longest match of his career, five hours and 16 minutes, while saving two match points. Against Cerundolo, he showed no signs of fatigue, cruising through the opening set and holding his nerve through two tiebreaks.
Why This Inspires
Berrettini's comeback tells us something important about passion and persistence. He didn't return to tennis because it was easy or because success was guaranteed. He returned because walking away from something you love hurts more than fighting through the pain.
At 30 and ranked 105th, Berrettini is now the lowest-ranked Roland Garros quarter-finalist since 2007. But rankings don't measure heart. "I'm trying to give my best, I'm focusing on my game and I want to enjoy this win," he said.
His next opponent will be either Frances Tiafoe or Italy's Matteo Arnaldi. Whatever happens next, Berrettini has already won something bigger: proof that loving what you do can carry you through years of doubt and disappointment.
Sometimes the greatest victories aren't about trophies but about showing up again after every reason to quit.
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Based on reporting by BBC Sport
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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